Features of Functioning of Lexical Innovations in Modern English Internet Discourse

Abstract

The article is devoted to current problems of lexical innovations functioning in modern English-language Internet discourse. Stylistic features of English-language Internet discourse are characterized. It is noted that the language of English-language Internet discourse has certain features and directions for certain categories of speakers and recipients. In the course of the analysis of the English-language Internet discourse, a direct relationship between the degree of complexity of the selected language tools and socio-cultural specific features of the target audience is proved. The ability of a language to learn neologisms can be qualified as its advantage, not weakness: as a result of lexical renewal, the language system is provided with additional opportunities and incentives for their own development. The latest concepts are further developed in culture, which is reflected in the derived names. For each lexical innovation in the structure of language there is a structure of knowledge and experience gained in a particular field of activity relevant to a particular culture. The concept of neologisms and their typology are considered. It is noted that there are different parameters for defining the term "neology": the process of creating new lexical units is built in accordance with the usual mechanisms of the creative process in language development; theoretical and applied research of creation of lexical units, ways of word formation, criteria of recognition, acceptance and distribution of neologisms, sociocultural aspects of neology; systematically organized activities of institutes for accounting, creation, recording, dissemination and introduction of neologisms into a clear framework of language policy; the task of establishing new terminology systems and newly created industries that have gaps in terminology and require its implementation; lexicographic system of relations with dictionaries is based on two aspects: the use of the dictionary as a filtering tool for the recognition of neologisms and analysis of their processing within dictionaries. The functionality of neologisms within the English-language Internet discourse is considered. The results of the analysis allow us to conclude that neologisms are quite common in Internet discourse. Lexical innovations of Internet discourse are characterized by significant variability of form and instability of meanings; only time will tell which of them will complete the basic English vocabulary and which will be rejected.